Chapter 1
I twirled my pencil on my fingers and sighed. I hate maths, I really don’t get the point of it. It’s more like a form of torture than a form of education. I looked over at my best friend Minako, and saw that she was as confused as I was. “Hey,” I whispered to her “do you get any of this?” She shook her head, and I sighed again, leaning back in my chair. “Oh maaaaaaan, this is torture!”
I didn’t realise that I’d said it out loud, until my teacher called out my name. “Suzuki Mitsuko!” His voice boomed. I flinched. Oh man, was I in trouble. “Did you have something that you’d like to share with the class?” he questioned me, and I heard a few snickers from my classmates.
“Uh, n-no, sir. I was just, uhhh...” I stuttered, trying to think of an excuse.
But before I could think of one, he lifted his arm and pointed to the door “stand outside for the rest of the lesson.” I bowed my head and walked outside. After I shut the door behind me, a small smile escaped my lips. Hey, at least I got out of maths, right?
“Urgh, Suzuki, I can’t believe you did that,” Minako sighed in disbelief after class.
“I didn’t mean it, it was an accident!” I pouted.
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” she said in her, I’ve heard it all before voice. “I have to go to the library, wanna come with?” she asked.
“Not really,” I answered.
“Oh come on! It’ll be fun!” She grabbed my arm and started pulling me.
“Heeeeey! I said I don’t wanna goooo!” I whined.
“Stop whining and come with me!” she said, and pulled harder.
“Urgh, fine!” I sighed, giving in.
“Yay!” she smiled as if she had just won a huge battle.
I looked up at the huge building and sighed. Just what I wanted to do with my afternoon, be surrounded by hundreds of dusty old books. “Come on!” Minako called from the library entrance. I sighed again and walked inside.
“Urgh, it smells like dust and old people in here,” I complained.
“Stop complaining and help me find the book I’m looking for,” Minako called.
“Sure, what’s it called?” I asked.
“10 ways to help you find a boyfriend,” she answered matter- of-factly.
I blushed and stopped in my tracks. “I’m not helping you look for that,” I refused.
“Aww, why not?” she whined.
“It’s embarrassing!” I answered.
“Pleeeeeaaaasssee?” She begged, and gave me the puppy dog look.
“Uh, you know I can’t say no to that look,” I complained.
“Soooooo....?” she started.
“Fine,” I finished.
“Yay! Thank you Suzu-chan!” She smiled and hugged me.
“Urgh, Mi-chan! We’ve been searching forever! Can’t we go home now?” I looked around, but I couldn’t see Minako anywhere. “Minako? Mi-chan? Where are you?” I walked around the library searching for Minako. Urgh, why do libraries have to be so darn big? “Minako!” I called “Mina- Oof!” I bumped into someone, and fell and hit my head. “Ow! That hurt!” I cried as I rubbed my head.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. Are you alright?” A women’s voice asked me.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it,” I smiled. I opened my eyes and saw the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. She had a confused look on her face, and I realised that I had been staring. “Oh! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to stare!” I apologized.
She smiled, “don’t worry about it. Now we’re even.” She stood up and offered me her hand, “here, let me help you up.”
I took her outstretched hand, and stood up. “Thank you.”
“Hmm, perfect. I’m glad it’s you,” she whispered so softly, I’m not even sure I heard it right. Before I could ask her what she meant, she walked off faster than I could catch her.
I stared after her, I didn’t even know her name. I was about to start looking for Minako again, when I noticed something on the floor. I bent down to pick it up, it was a book, but it wasn’t a library book. It must belong to that woman. I read the title of the book, “The Universe of the Four Gods?” I whispered to myself. I wonder what it’s about. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I took a look, I convinced myself. I went to open the first page, when someone hit me from behind.
“Suzu-chaaaan! What are you looking at?”
“God Mi-chan! You gave me a heart attack!” I growled.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed.
“Urgh, whatever. Did you find the book?” I asked her.
“Yup! It’s right here!” she answered, holding up a book.
“Alright, hurry up and borrow it so we can get out of here.” I told her as I slipped The Universe of the Four Gods into my coat.
